BALLET NIGHTS 2 ...

[Jamiel Devernay-Laurence]

Dear BalletCo Forum members and supporters,

 

I am excited to announce that I am now into pre-production on BALLET NIGHTS 2 , and once again keen to bring the passionate and devoted members of the BalletCo forum along for the ride!

 

Since our launch, I myself have been on quite a journey as part of the cultural recovery post-pandemic, including founding a new dance company, creating my first full-length and also in now talks to adapt last years BALLET NIGHTS formula for TV.

 

What we found at our prototype launch in October 2021 is that the fusion of classical ballet, neo-classical and contemporary dance with an MC'd Later with Jools Holland style approach to the event was the right choice indeed.

Audiences loved hearing about who the acts were, what they are going to perform and where you can see then next.

 

However what we also realised is that for this venture to become financially sustainable, we are going to have to do more to convince the local, first-time dance theatre goers by giving ourselves a much longer run up.

 

That is why for BALLET NIGHTS 2 we are going to go for our announcement at least 4 months in advance of the event taking place, and this time backed by an effective marketing campaign.

 

I will also be introducing audiences to the venue over the next few months by launching lunchtime concerts that recreate BALLET NIGHTS in miniature, featuring a concert pianist followed by one danced work. These concerts will be cheap to attend but rich with some of the most exciting dance content that can be found happening right now. It is also a great way to get those artists itching to perform a solo in front of a crowd on a platform on which they can thrive. (more on the first of these mini concerts soon)

 

BALLET NIGHTS 2 is a show concept that offers something to both long term ballet fans and new audiences by fielding the best and brightest in UK dance happening right now in the form of carefully curated virtuosic solos, duets and headliners - such as our inaugural Don Quixote Pas featuring Gabriele Frola and Katja Kaniukova, and our kindly gifted/rarely seen Act 2 Swan Lake Pas choreographed by David Dawson.

 

Share Your Thoughts?

 

I am excited to have already begun work on our next programme, and now I would like to hear from anyone on this forum who might have something specific they would like to see, any artists they particularly follow or a choreographer they would like to see commissioned for our second incarnation.

 

As will all arts endeavours during this challenging period, we are also looking for support in all areas including programming, commissioning and ways that help us introduce audiences to our new iteration of variety show - modernising the pastime of seeing dance.

 

I look forward to updating you all soon on my progress, and if you would like to get in touch outside of the forum, you can email me at:- BalletNightsUK@gmail.com

 

Jamiel Devernay-Laurence

 

 

 

 

[Sim]

Best of luck with this most worthwhile of endeavours, Jamiel, and I look forward to hearing more when you have it.  Sounds wonderful! 

 

[FionaM]

Really good news!

 

I loved your first Ballet Nights, and was especially pleased with the MC approach to explain each piece, why it was chosen, who the dancers, choreographers, musicians were etc.   (no one gets time to read a programme in advance).  I feel this is something that is lacking at all other ‘galas’ .  
 

I would love to see some choreo by Ross Freddie Ray McCaw.  His most recents ballets ‘Bolero’, ‘Dante Inferno’ and ‘Little Red’ are super examples of classical ballet.  
 

A duet I’d like to see live is Valentino Zucchetti’s recent ‘Paolo & Francesca’ pdd for Mayara Magri and Lukas BB.  Alternatively Valentino’s  ‘Lacrimosa’ solo created for Leticia Dias. 
 

Whatever you procure I’m sure it will be interesting.  Thank you. 

Edited October 1, 2022 by FionaE

[Jamiel Devernay-Laurence]

HOW IT STARTED vs. HOW ITS GOING....

 

So to provide an update for all interested in all things BALLET NIGHTS 2.... Let me take you on a bit of a detour!

 

The progress with my production house JAMIEL LAURENCE CREATION is well underway, and with working examples of dance experiences for Stage, Screen, Events, in Education and now Dancer Professional Services, I am making a lot of headway since hitting the ground running in January 2023.

 

I have attracted a young, part time fundraiser who is going to chase funds in various directions which will hopefully lead us to the £15K required to get BN2 underway. If anyone here has any suggestions for where to look in this area please do get in contact at Jamiel@jamiellaurence.com

 

The new quarterly JLC Intensive series has had a marked impact on the contemporary dance community, both at home and abroad, and one of the special outcomes of this programme has been bringing back some of our initial BALLET NIGHTS performers to the space, including Kennedy Junior Muntanga and Luke Ahmet. Find out more about that and see videos of them in action here:- https://www.jamiellaurence.com/blank-1

Although I realise this is a Ballet specific forum, I am thrilled to announce the launch of my new IGNITION PLATFORM; an new progression based choreographic platform for emerging choreographers launching on 4th March 2023 at the Lanterns Studio Theatre.

 

Times are tough, arts funding is scarce, and the UK is at risk of losing an entire generation of choreographic talent.

JAMIEL LAURENCE CREATION sees how young artists must fight harder and harder for a chance to have their say in the UK arts scene, our response to this: THE IGNITION PLATFORM. A ground-breaking launchpad for new and emerging choreographers with the aim of staging exciting new voices, producing dance into revolutionary spaces, and paving the way for young choreographers to get their work seen by a live audience.

 

To Book Your Tickets Visit:

ticketsource.co.uk/jamiellaurence

 

 

Thats all the updates for now, and although launching the return of BALLET NIGHTS is proving more challenging than I originally thought, the reward will be even sweeter when we can say we are back on the road, financially viable and once again doing something new, innovative and unique.

 

Jamiel Devernay-Laurence

 

[Sim]

This all sounds fascinating and very positive, Jamiel.  Best of luck and I hope you have success with the fundraising and the performances.  You are doing a wonderful job for these young folks.